2025 NBA Season

[Oasisman]

Utah Jazz make a move and trade Derrick Favors to OKC,

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/utah-jazz-trade-derrick-favors-to-oklahoma-city-thunder-for-a-future-second-round-pick/

The Utah Jazz have agreed to trade big man Derrick Favors and a future first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations, the team announced on Friday. The move adds yet another draft pick to the Thunder's arsenal over the next couple years, while the Jazz save some money as Favors is owed nearly $20 million over the next two years.

Just sad to see Favors go, but Jazz need to offload him to clear salary cap and for some cash considerations, and they are below luxury tax, They are going to re-sign Mike Conley though. And OKC has a lot of of first round draft picks spread over the next NBA drafts so that huge for them as they are on a rebuilding phase.

I'm cool with the Jazz off loading Favors. They really need to make a good adjustment, though their current roster looks ok. I want to see Jazz go for a good backboard, a good back up center of Gobert.
Also, Mitchell needs to improve more of his game to be able to carry and lead the whole Jazz team into the finals.
I'm not quite sure what the Jazz is lacking since the last season, I mean they are both good offensively and defensively, but can't get pass the conference finals.
What I always had in mind is that they need a good backup center, definitely better than Favors.

[gagux123]

Obviously, it will be the Lakers, as they added a premier point guard in Westbrook that can make the Lakers good again next season. And they will be the favorite again, with Bron and Davis so that's already a big 3. Harrell game though as a Laker dip this season as compare when he was with the Clippers, and he plays center position, and I think he is undersized for that. And Lakers still have Drummond and Gasol in the middle.

As for Kuzma, he didn't let to the expectations in the last two years, so it's good that he still in the NBA and not with the Shanghai Sharks,  .

Wizard is the loser here, WB and Beal is a good combination and they bring Wizards in the playoffs after 2 years if I'm not mistaken. Can you imagine Beal and Kuzma lifting Wizards to at least 6th-8th place at least next season?

The Lakers in next season will be stronger, let's see how the others teams' will behave.
If the Lakers have chemistry and interaction between players and no one gets injured during the season, the chances are the Lakers will be champions!

I even believe this trio, LeBron + AD + Westbrook are in the same level (or even better) against Miami Heat, with Lebron + Wade + Bosh.
Ohhh, I almost forget, we still have Drummond to complete the team. He's not one of the best centers in the NBA, but he makes a huge difference on the team!

[stadus]

Actually, I am more concerned about the health of Davis than of Lebron James, Davis is known to be a fragile big man that can be easily injured, let's look back on his past team, injury is the main reason why the team struggle and that shoulder injury of his is a big one. Lebron is also more careful now, he doesn't drive a lot in the paint like he usually does before, so they need Westbrook to do that and to lessen the burden of Davis.

I forgot that. Thank you.
AD had been on a mess ever since that shoulder injury and it's been going on for 6-7 years I guess.
I think it was May 2021 when it went back with a sprained shoulder.
It's like the Kyrie shoulder injury that messed up his attendance for a lot of years (Celtics, Nets).
Just how I am excited to see how Harden will fit with KD and Kyrie, this WB trade also thrills me to analyze how they are going to play with each other.

AD is less stressed if he is surrounded with great players, unlike with the Pelicans where he has to lift the team, here in Lakers, he has Lebron and now Westbrook to carry the team, so he will not likely get injured, hopefully. The management has to also ensure that he will be healthy in the playoffs as the Lakers can enter the playoffs even with Davis getting limited minutes only.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Utah Jazz make a move and trade Derrick Favors to OKC,

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/utah-jazz-trade-derrick-favors-to-oklahoma-city-thunder-for-a-future-second-round-pick/

The Utah Jazz have agreed to trade big man Derrick Favors and a future first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations, the team announced on Friday. The move adds yet another draft pick to the Thunder's arsenal over the next couple years, while the Jazz save some money as Favors is owed nearly $20 million over the next two years.

Just sad to see Favors go, but Jazz need to offload him to clear salary cap and for some cash considerations, and they are below luxury tax, They are going to re-sign Mike Conley though. And OKC has a lot of of first round draft picks spread over the next NBA drafts so that huge for them as they are on a rebuilding phase.

I'm cool with the Jazz off loading Favors. They really need to make a good adjustment, though their current roster looks ok. I want to see Jazz go for a good backboard, a good back up center of Gobert.
Also, Mitchell needs to improve more of his game to be able to carry and lead the whole Jazz team into the finals.

Yeah, I think it will also be a good career move for Favors as well, he can only perform under few minutes because obviously, they have Gobert as the number one option. Hope he can develop more and become a good center as well with OKC.

I'm not quite sure what the Jazz is lacking since the last season, I mean they are both good offensively and defensively, but can't get pass the conference finals.
What I always had in mind is that they need a good backup center, definitely better than Favors.

The Jazz is complete, they are the top seed in the West last season, maybe what they really lack is someone with good experience in the playoffs. They don't choke, but they don't have the finishing kick. Mitchell needs to be the leader more and elevate his game.

[ILuckyGuyI]

It was really good to see a different final and a different champion in the 20/21 season actually. But in this new season, I think that there are two big candidates for the title. They are Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. As of Westbrook's joining Lakers, they will be even much more stronger than before. Nets are already very strong with KD - Irving - Harden trio. They just struggled with injuries many times in the last season.

[danherbias07]

It was really good to see a different final and a different champion in the 20/21 season actually. But in this new season, I think that there are two big candidates for the title. They are Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. As of Westbrook's joining Lakers, they will be even much more stronger than before. Nets are already very strong with KD - Irving - Harden trio. They just struggled with injuries many times in the last season.

Their injuries are going back and forth. It's no question it will with Durant and Irving but Harden's injury is something new. We saw him in Rockets playing almost the entire season and won't even have a finger injury. His responsibilities back then was far wider than now and yet he still injured himself.
But this year, if the three can share the weight and preserve some of their strength with minutes restrictions they might really make it to the championship.

No news for New York Knicks (one of the teams that surprised us last season), they traded their high picks for future picks. The rebuilding was done last year and I think they will just preserve their young stars and let them grow experiencing playoff games.

[Jating]

It was really good to see a different final and a different champion in the 20/21 season actually. But in this new season, I think that there are two big candidates for the title. They are Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. As of Westbrook's joining Lakers, they will be even much more stronger than before. Nets are already very strong with KD - Irving - Harden trio. They just struggled with injuries many times in the last season.

Of course no one thought that the Suns and Bucks are going to face each other in the finals.

We have Nets with their big 3 and then Lebron and AD as defending champions, unfortunately injury sets in and it's good to see the Suns and Bucks fighting it hard in 6 games.

But with so many movements and trades right now, specially the news about WB joining the Lakers, it will be another interesting season. Coaches and players are moving and trading to find the perfect fit to their teams. Let's hope that we will see a injury free season, specially for high caliber players.

[btc_angela]

Actually, I am more concerned about the health of Davis than of Lebron James, Davis is known to be a fragile big man that can be easily injured, let's look back on his past team, injury is the main reason why the team struggle and that shoulder injury of his is a big one. Lebron is also more careful now, he doesn't drive a lot in the paint like he usually does before, so they need Westbrook to do that and to lessen the burden of Davis.

I forgot that. Thank you.
AD had been on a mess ever since that shoulder injury and it's been going on for 6-7 years I guess.
I think it was May 2021 when it went back with a sprained shoulder.
It's like the Kyrie shoulder injury that messed up his attendance for a lot of years (Celtics, Nets).
Just how I am excited to see how Harden will fit with KD and Kyrie, this WB trade also thrills me to analyze how they are going to play with each other.

AD is less stressed if he is surrounded with great players, unlike with the Pelicans where he has to lift the team, here in Lakers, he has Lebron and now Westbrook to carry the team, so he will not likely get injured, hopefully. The management has to also ensure that he will be healthy in the playoffs as the Lakers can enter the playoffs even with Davis getting limited minutes only.

Yeah, but with the messed the Lakers going into the play-offs, he has somewhat needs to operate more and then injury sets in again. At least them getting out of the playoff early, he can go and check with the medical doctors and will have ample time now to recover and rehab his body in preparation for the next season. And with Westbrook around, maybe he doesn't need to score more often as they have other options now.

[Viscore]

Actually, I am more concerned about the health of Davis than of Lebron James, Davis is known to be a fragile big man that can be easily injured, let's look back on his past team, injury is the main reason why the team struggle and that shoulder injury of his is a big one. Lebron is also more careful now, he doesn't drive a lot in the paint like he usually does before, so they need Westbrook to do that and to lessen the burden of Davis.

I forgot that. Thank you.
AD had been on a mess ever since that shoulder injury and it's been going on for 6-7 years I guess.
I think it was May 2021 when it went back with a sprained shoulder.
It's like the Kyrie shoulder injury that messed up his attendance for a lot of years (Celtics, Nets).
Just how I am excited to see how Harden will fit with KD and Kyrie, this WB trade also thrills me to analyze how they are going to play with each other.

AD is less stressed if he is surrounded with great players, unlike with the Pelicans where he has to lift the team, here in Lakers, he has Lebron and now Westbrook to carry the team, so he will not likely get injured, hopefully. The management has to also ensure that he will be healthy in the playoffs as the Lakers can enter the playoffs even with Davis getting limited minutes only.

Yeah, but with the messed the Lakers going into the play-offs, he has somewhat needs to operate more and then injury sets in again. At least them getting out of the playoff early, he can go and check with the medical doctors and will have ample time now to recover and rehab his body in preparation for the next season. And with Westbrook around, maybe he doesn't need to score more often as they have other options now.

Westbrook will contribute to the team, that's expected, he is not shy of making contributions and he still maintains his triple-double average even playing in another team, now he will go to the Lakers, they will be a threat as it's not only Davis and Lebron who will be a threat, their opponent has to also watch out for Westbrook as he can explode anytime he wants.

Maybe Westbrook's FG percentage will also increase now he team up with the best in the NBA.

[yazher]

Westbrook will contribute to the team, that's expected, he is not shy of making contributions and he still maintains his triple-double average even playing in another team, now he will go to the Lakers, they will be a threat as it's not only Davis and Lebron who will be a threat, their opponent has to also watch out for Westbrook as he can explode anytime he wants.

Maybe Westbrook's FG percentage will also increase now he team up with the best in the NBA.

As expected, if they don't suffer any injury in the next season, they will become one of those torn that will prevent you to proceed in the playoffs but if they played like they did this year, then there's no other way around to describe it even though they have added Westbrook to their team. We need to consider LBJ is getting old and he is already passing his prime and the way he played is not the same he used to be. so AD and Westbrook should step up and make their own names in the next season without getting injured. the only way they can help the old LBJ is to completely get healthy throughout the season.

[Fredomago]

It was really good to see a different final and a different champion in the 20/21 season actually. But in this new season, I think that there are two big candidates for the title. They are Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. As of Westbrook's joining Lakers, they will be even much more stronger than before. Nets are already very strong with KD - Irving - Harden trio. They just struggled with injuries many times in the last season.

Of course no one thought that the Suns and Bucks are going to face each other in the finals.

We have Nets with their big 3 and then Lebron and AD as defending champions, unfortunately injury sets in and it's good to see the Suns and Bucks fighting it hard in 6 games.

But with so many movements and trades right now, specially the news about WB joining the Lakers, it will be another interesting season. Coaches and players are moving and trading to find the perfect fit to their teams. Let's hope that we will see a injury free season, specially for high caliber players.

Without injuries, it's really an interesting season to come knowing that each known franchise wanted to win the title. Last season have the most injuries especially those stars who really affected the performances of the team.

Bucks and Suns though brings an entertaining 6 games competing with each other, and yes Bucks take the title.

Moving towards to this new upcoming season, we may see more trades that will happened to add more spice for this league.

[Ziskinberg]

It was really good to see a different final and a different champion in the 20/21 season actually. But in this new season, I think that there are two big candidates for the title. They are Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. As of Westbrook's joining Lakers, they will be even much more stronger than before. Nets are already very strong with KD - Irving - Harden trio. They just struggled with injuries many times in the last season.

Of course no one thought that the Suns and Bucks are going to face each other in the finals.

We have Nets with their big 3 and then Lebron and AD as defending champions, unfortunately injury sets in and it's good to see the Suns and Bucks fighting it hard in 6 games.

But with so many movements and trades right now, specially the news about WB joining the Lakers, it will be another interesting season. Coaches and players are moving and trading to find the perfect fit to their teams. Let's hope that we will see a injury free season, specially for high caliber players.

Without injuries, it's really an interesting season to come knowing that each known franchise wanted to win the title. Last season have the most injuries especially those stars who really affected the performances of the team.

Bucks and Suns though brings an entertaining 6 games competing with each other, and yes Bucks take the title.

Moving towards to this new upcoming season, we may see more trades that will happened to add more spice for this league.

The bucks did a great job in the previous off-season by adding capable players to their lineup, the addition of Holiday is really huge, plus they have Portis who is unexpected to perform at a high level in the NBA Finals. IMO, there's no need to change or upgrade the lineup of the Bucks, they had already the best chemistry and I'm sure they'll succeed in the next season.

[Reid]

AD is less stressed if he is surrounded with great players, unlike with the Pelicans where he has to lift the team, here in Lakers, he has Lebron and now Westbrook to carry the team, so he will not likely get injured, hopefully. The management has to also ensure that he will be healthy in the playoffs as the Lakers can enter the playoffs even with Davis getting limited minutes only.

Yes, that's correct.
Now, they can ensure a good season even if someone is hurt. We don't want it but it just happens.
Westbrook and Lebron are known for strong bodies that could even play the whole season without hurting themselves, that's great assurance for the Lakers fans.

The bucks did a great job in the previous off-season by adding capable players to their lineup, the addition of Holiday is really huge, plus they have Portis who is unexpected to perform at a high level in the NBA Finals. IMO, there's no need to change or upgrade the lineup of the Bucks, they had already the best chemistry and I'm sure they'll succeed in the next season.

Oh yes, I hope they can stick with that roster. Bench players are overflowing with confidence.
I didn't even see them shake a bit except for Pat Connaughton for those 2 bad free throws.  But he still made his amends by getting the rebounds. Big ones.

[wheelz1200]

Kind of disappointed with the Knicks draft.  Had picks 19 and 21, liked Jalen Johnson at 19.  He dropped because he dipped out if the season at Duke but was shooting decent.  Would have made a nice wing.  Instead got a future protected 1st.  They need help now.  I do like the Quentin grimes pickup though.  Knockdown 3pt shooter and great on D.  He will fit thibs system.

[Baofeng]

Yes, as the saying goes, "don't fix what ain't broken". So for sure Bucks won't change a thing in their line-up or trade players, unless they are becoming a liable to the them. What they need to do is to really improved in small things like their free throws and three point percentage next season. They still have Giannis + Middleton + Holiday that can still compete high level basketball next season. And then some role players coming off the bench like Portis. For sure this line-up will defend their championship at any cost, they have proven that they can beat the top teams in the East like the Nets (although not healthy, but you can't take away anything from the Bucks). Rick Carlisle though is back as Pacers head-coach.

[danherbias07]

Kind of disappointed with the Knicks draft.  Had picks 19 and 21, liked Jalen Johnson at 19.  He dropped because he dipped out if the season at Duke but was shooting decent.  Would have made a nice wing.  Instead got a future protected 1st.  They need help now.  I do like the Quentin grimes pickup though.  Knockdown 3pt shooter and great on D.  He will fit thibs system.

They need shot creators, Grimes is exactly what they need. Buckets. I think the Knicks made a very good decision here. Remember at the playoffs, Randle is having a problem to make shots because he was defended too well. Even if he pass the ball, no Knicks player can shoot it.
DRose is not yet back on a high shooting mid-range percentage and Barrett is also not a good choice. Randle was forced to shoot it even with a bad look.
Grimes though can shoot face up because of the flotation device equipped in his feet.  He jumps so high and doesn't need a lot of separation.

[lixer]

^Let's be honest guys, we are going to see some more veterans signing cheap contracts with both Nets and Lakers at the same time. We AAAALLL want to see that Lakers versus Nets matchup in the finals with everyone 100% healthy at that point as well. If everyone is healthy and playing with 100% then we are going to be quite happy about the current situation and we are going to be basically watching the best finals overall talent in a long time.

There was a moment when GSW vs Cavs was good because Cavs actually played good, aside from that we haven't seen as many talents in one finals as a potential Lakers vs Nets finals. 6 players (lebron, ad, westbrook, durant, harden, irving) that could be in top 20, we do not get that too frequently and it will be awesome.

[Yamifoud]

^Let's be honest guys, we are going to see some more veterans signing cheap contracts with both Nets and Lakers at the same time.

Because that's the only way they will become a champion after seasons of playing, Lakers and Nets are the favorites because they have the top players in the NBA now and they are really good, if not because of injury, we might have seen them in the NBA Finals last season. Good example is David West, he was a starter on his team, played great but never won a championship, however he decided to play with the GSW which was the best teams in 2017 and 2018 season and won a championship.

[OgNasty]

^Let's be honest guys, we are going to see some more veterans signing cheap contracts with both Nets and Lakers at the same time. We AAAALLL want to see that Lakers versus Nets matchup in the finals with everyone 100% healthy at that point as well. If everyone is healthy and playing with 100% then we are going to be quite happy about the current situation and we are going to be basically watching the best finals overall talent in a long time.

There was a moment when GSW vs Cavs was good because Cavs actually played good, aside from that we haven't seen as many talents in one finals as a potential Lakers vs Nets finals. 6 players (lebron, ad, westbrook, durant, harden, irving) that could be in top 20, we do not get that too frequently and it will be awesome.

Ya, it looks like Demar Derozan, Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Buddy Hield & Dwight Howard are all trying to find their way to the Lakers.  I think it's somewhat unlikely for most of them, except maybe Dwight Howard who I thought they desperately missed this year.  I am still in a bit of shock they let him go for next to nothing while signing Harrel to a crazy deal.  That must have had more to do with LeBron's management and the Lakers wanting to keep him happy then it did with basketball.  With Westbrook, I think they have enough to go to the finals, but I'd really like to see them grab Howard and Hield.  

[freedomgo]

^Let's be honest guys, we are going to see some more veterans signing cheap contracts with both Nets and Lakers at the same time. We AAAALLL want to see that Lakers versus Nets matchup in the finals with everyone 100% healthy at that point as well. If everyone is healthy and playing with 100% then we are going to be quite happy about the current situation and we are going to be basically watching the best finals overall talent in a long time.

There was a moment when GSW vs Cavs was good because Cavs actually played good, aside from that we haven't seen as many talents in one finals as a potential Lakers vs Nets finals. 6 players (lebron, ad, westbrook, durant, harden, irving) that could be in top 20, we do not get that too frequently and it will be awesome.

Ya, it looks like Demar Derozan, Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Buddy Hield & Dwight Howard are all trying to find their way to the Lakers.  I think it's somewhat unlikely for most of them, except maybe Dwight Howard who I thought they desperately missed this year.  I am still in a bit of shock they let him go for next to nothing while signing Harrel to a crazy deal.  That must have had more to do with LeBron's management and the Lakers wanting to keep him happy then it did with basketball.  With Westbrook, I think they have enough to go to the finals, but I'd really like to see them grab Howard and Hield.  

Harrell just didn't fit on the Lakers system, he was inconsistent but was playing really well with the Clippers. I guess if Lakers had Howard and Clippers still have Harrell, they would be a fun team to watch. Anyway, what's done is done, both LA teams did not advance in the NBA Finals but they can correct it this coming season, especially the LA Lakers.

Howard seemed to be better than Drummond though.